Frondophyllas
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The F. grandis has multibranching that differs from the other Rangeomorphs that have been discovered. They have frond-like leaflets that are flexible that were able to be preserved in the fossilization process. They were benthic animals that lived in a deep-sea environment with other taxa that were found during this time. It was suggested that either they ate small organisms that would pass by or that they would filter feed. The fossil is the only Ediacaran fossil that is frond-like and has multiple leaf-bearing branches of its kind. It is also one of the longest fossils ever found during the Ediacaran period with a 1m long specimen found.
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Method of fossilization
The Frondophyllas, like many other fossils found in the Avalon Peninsula, was preserved by solidified volcanic ash. Within the silicified mudstone-volcanic ash, we can see the soft-bodied organisms being well preserved. Evidence suggests that during this preservation event, the volcanic ash created a mold of the organism when it fell onto the sea floor. Although well preserved, both fossils found were incomplete with a broken central rod.
Distribution and paleoenvironment
Found in the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada, Frondophyllas grandis was discovered in the Briscal Formation in Bristy Cove. The depositional environment of Mistaken Point consists of silicified mudstones-volcanic ash at 575-560Ma. This environment had indications of having a deep-sea environment at the time that the F. grandis was alive, also indicating that it was a benthic animal.